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Wine Details
Price:
$19.00 per bottle
Description:
These grapes were picked at full ripeness from carefully selected vineyards renowned for their strong pepper and raspberry character. Dove Pond, Bella, and Dusi vineyards are all low production, high quality vineyards in west Paso Robles. Dove Pond and Bella are both on Vineyard Drive, and Benito Dusi’s 80-year-old vineyard is on the west side of the Estrella River, easily viewed from Highway 101.
The lots were fermented separately in small open top fermentors, with yeasts specifically designed for high sugar zinfandel, then aged for 16 months in new and seasoned American and French oak, to give the wine structure with a gentle perfume of oak that would not overwhelm its spice. Ten percent syrah was added to emphasize the smoke and licorice character in this year’s vintage.
A blast of blackberry and raspberry flavors, with anise, sage and black peppercorn
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Varietal Definition
Zinfandel:
Zinfandel is a variety of red grape planted in over 10 percent of California wine vineyards. DNA fingerprinting revealed that it is genetically equivalent to the Croatian grape Crljenak Kaštelanski, and also the Primitivo variety traditionally grown in the 'heel' of Italy. It is typically made into a robust red wine. Its taste depends on the ripeness of the grapes from which it is made. Red berry fruits like raspberry predominate in wines from cooler areas such as the Napa Valley, whereas blackberry, anise and pepper notes are more common in wines made in warmer areas such as Sonoma County. Many Zinfandels come from head pruned ‘Old Vines’. ‘Old Vine’ is generally understood to mean a vine that is more than 50 years old and that produces less than three tons per acre. ‘Head Pruning’ is an old European style of pruning that trains the vine into the shape of a goblet. It requires no wires or other complex trellis systems. Head pruning spreads the fruit uniformly along the vine and allows light penetration.In the USA a semi-sweet Rosé (blush-style) wine called ‘White Zinfandel’ has achieved widespread popularity. In fact, this popularity has so outstripped all other forms that many fans think there is actually a grape called “White Zinfandel” (there isn’t)!
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Syrah:
Syrah is the eight hundred pound gorilla of Rhone grapes! In the vineyard and the winery, Syrah is typically an easy grape to work with - healthy, early ripening, resistant to mildew and rot; suitable for winemaking in a variety of styles. The wines from Syrah are tannic without being harsh. The wines will have a taste and smell of dark blue fruit like blackberries and blackcurrant, with a strong spicy side where one can find freshly ground pepper and other spices. Syrah is famous for its part in the French blends, such as Côtes du Rhone and Châteauneuf du Pape.
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